Windows 11 users who opted for the September preview update are encountering an unexpected hurdle: a bug affecting the mouse cursor. Released on August 27, this update has led to the erasure or alteration of personalized mouse cursor settings, leaving users with cursors that may appear disproportionately large, too small, or in some cases, invisible altogether.
Details of the Issue
According to Microsoft’s known issues page, the update (KB5120998) has resulted in significant changes to mouse cursor personalization settings. Users have reported that their customizations revert to default settings post-installation. Microsoft characterized the issue as leading to “appearance regressions and intermittent animation changes.” Notably, high-DPI mouse cursors have been replaced with larger, white cursors, and attempts to revert to previous customizations have proven unsuccessful.
This update, being a preview type, is not mandatory like the monthly Patch Tuesday updates. Instead, it is an optional release that users can choose to install. However, its presence in the Windows Update section makes it easily accessible for download, leading many to inadvertently install it.
Additional Glitches
The mouse cursor issue is not the only concern stemming from this update. Reports have surfaced of Windows wallpapers reverting to a black screen and fonts appearing blurry on certain systems. While the wallpaper complaints have gained traction on Microsoft’s Feedback Hub, the font issue appears to be less widespread. Microsoft has yet to formally acknowledge the latter issue.
The company is actively investigating the mouse cursor problem to ascertain whether it is directly linked to the recent update. Microsoft has committed to providing further information as it becomes available, with a deadline set for September 8, coinciding with the anticipated September Patch Tuesday update.
Steps to Uninstall the Update
For users looking to resolve the cursor glitch, the immediate solution is to uninstall the problematic update. The process is straightforward:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Scroll down and click on Update History.
- Locate the Uninstall updates option.
- Find the update labeled 2026-08 Preview Update (KB5120998) (26200.9278).
- Click the Uninstall link and confirm your choice.
As users navigate these challenges, the hope remains that Microsoft will address these issues promptly, restoring the seamless experience that Windows 11 aims to provide.
